Breaking FreeSample

"The Benefits of Breaking Free" Isaiah’s glorious thesis on captives set free describes God’s benefits this way: “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him” (Isa. 64:4). God wants to do for you what your eyes have never seen, your ears have never heard, and your mind has never conceived. But just as the Babylonians held the children of Israel captive, areas of captivity can keep us from living out the reality of Isaiah 64:4. Here’s our definition of captivity: “A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life God planned for her.” One of the most effective ways to detect captivity is to measure whether we are enjoying the benefits God intends for every child of God. Ask yourself: Am I experiencing the benefits of my covenant relationship with God through Christ, or do the benefits I read in Scripture seem more like warm, fuzzy thoughts? According to the Book of Isaiah, God has graciously extended the following benefits to His children. 1. To know God and believe Him 2. To glorify God 3. To find satisfaction in God 4. To experience God’s peace 5. To enjoy God’s presence These benefits and their scriptural references will serve as a road map to lead you home when you’ve been carried away captive. Benefit 1 is “To know God and believe Him.” One of your chief purposes is to know God intimately and with reverent familiarity. God not only desires for us to know Him, He also wants us to believe Him! Many variables in our lives affect our willingness to trust God. A loss or betrayal can deeply mark our level of trust. Trusting an invisible God does not come naturally to any believer. A trust relationship grows only by stepping out in faith and making the choice to trust. The ability to believe God develops most often through pure experience. “I found Him faithful yesterday. He will not be unfaithful today.” Rejoice that Christ wants to set us completely free to know Him and believe Him. Part of the process will be acknowledging that something is holding us back and learning to identify what it may be. I am immeasurably thankful for your willingness to join me on this freedom trail. I am praying for you daily.